Unusual question about fuel system

[Smokdivr28]

I have a 95 Windstar with a 3.8 V6 that I am going to mount a carpet cleaning machine in. The carpet machine runs off a 16 HP motor that normally connects to the fuel line of the van. In the older van this was not an issue, a T connection was simply put inline and an electric fuel pump was installed inline for the carpet machine motor. Having drug all that out my question is this; can I do the same thing with the Windstar? I ask because I'm not sure if the fuel system is pressurized or not, and if it is a pressurized system, would it hurt to put the pump inline? Any help is greatly appreciated.

[12Ounce]

The fuel system is pressurized @ 45 psi or so ... and would be even higher if the fuel pressure regulator is acting up. The fuel pump is in the tank ... and the tank has a vapour recovery system, so you've got a problem of sorts. Most add-on pumps will handle only a lb or two of inlet pressure before they rupture.

Having said that, I will mention that I have "stolen" pressurized fuel from my Windstar to fuel-up other auto's fuel rails to clean the injectors ...the fuel rail being placed in a metal bucket. This involved removing the valve-core from the Schraeder test valve on the Windstar's fuel rail, and running a 30ft fuel hose across the lawn to the cleaning process. The fuel relay was jumpered. Very risky. The injectors were fired with brief pulses of 12v. I was aware of the fire potential, but the method worked very well. Of course, this all has nothing to do with your question.

I think I would recommend a separate fuel supply.

[ModMech]

Yes, you can "T" into the fuel supply, but there is a very significant risk of early pump damage due to over pressure unless you use some form of pressure regulator that RETURNS fuel to the tank (by a "T" in the return system as well).

If you do that, it would be perfectly ok.

[wiswind]

I am guessing that you do not plan to run the windstar engine while you are running the carpet machine.
The fuel pump on the windstar only runs when the ignition is ON.
I would be uncomfortable with running the high pressure fuel into the passenger compartment of the windstar.
I am guessing that your "older van" had a mechanical fuel pump on the engine? If so, the line that you put the "T" into and ran into the carpet machine engine was under no pressure.
Taking that into consideration, you will need to be very careful trying to use a high pressure fuel system. That would require that all the fuel lines be up to the high pressure, most likely, you would start by replacing all the fuel hose that would be in the high pressure path.

[12Ounce]

Wiswind is correct, I forgot to mention that I jumpered the fuel pump relay in my desertation (now edited).

On later Windstars, the fuel pump is only turned on for the first few seconds the key is turned on ... unless the engine is proved to be running.

[ModMech]

You folks are correct.

If he installs the regulator outside the vehicle (nearest the fuel lines) it will be fine. Even Ford has procedures to repairing damaged sections of HP fuel line, so this is not rocket science. Even at 60 PSI, you are only talking about a force of 50# trying to seperate the line from the fittings, which is really not that much.

Getting the pump to run when you want is as simple as providing a power feed to the relay control circuit to turn the relay on with a switch - which will in turn cause the pump to run.

[Smokdivr28]

I probably better take this somewhere to get it hooked up this time. A good friend of mine who is in the same business recently ran into the exact same problem, albeit with a different truck. He said that they drilled a hole somewhere in the filler neck and ran a hose into the tank or something. Any ideas on that? Would it be any easier or way more difficult than putting a regulator on? As far as the relay goes to make the pump run, the machine is already equipped with the relay and was hooked up that way on the old machine. The old van had the setup as follows; fuel tank, then the T, then there was an electric pump going to the van motor and an electric pump going to the carpet machine. That would work with this one if the pump on the Windstar wasn't in the tank, but it is, so I have to figure something else out. Thanks for all the replies.

[wiswind]

Well....another thing to be aware of if you go the route of drilling a hole in the filler neck and running a line in there....which does sound like a good idea.......
The OBDII system (which I understand that the '95 windstar has) monitors the fuel tank pressure....and if it is not sealed up, you Check Engine Light (CEL) will come on. I know that I read in my owner's manual (for my '96) that not having the gas cap on tight can cause the CEL to come on.
So, to prevent this, they would need to seal up around the place that they run the line in.
True, you could just get used to the CEL, but there are 2 problems with this.
1. If you live in an area that does emission inspections, you most likely will fail, as a CEL being on (and / or any codes relative to that) is an automatic failure. They will also fail you if you clear the CEL and drive in, as they will see that the vehicle has not completed the "drive cycles" needed.
2. It is best to have the CEL off, so that it can come on to alert you to a true problem with your vehicle, so that you can get it repaired.

[Smokdivr28]

I talked to the guy who sells the carpet machine today. What he sells is a replacement filler neck that already has the hole in with a nipple for the line, and of course the hole is supposed to be airtight. Now all I need to figure out is how much trouble it is to replace the filler line. I doubt it if it is too hard. Thanks everybody for the input and advice.